She also needs a fresh representative for the regional development portfolio, a task that involves delicate negotiations with the independent MPs in the lower house.

It is not clear whether any existing ministers will be moved to a new portfolio.

But Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus says those in line for a promotion could include Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare, junior frontbenchers Sharon Bird and Mike Kelly, and backbenchers Andrew Leigh and Gai Brodtmann.

Education Minister Peter Garrett says the Cabinet reshuffle will help foster unity within the Labor caucus.

"Ongoing discipline and loyalty are essential to us delivering the reforms in Government which are so important for all Australians," he said.

"The Prime Minister will make those decisions about the make-up of the Cabinet.

"I have full confidence in existing ministers and ministers that she'll choose."

Defence Minister Stephen Smith agrees the make-up of the Cabinet is entirely for the Prime Minister to decide.

"I'm continuing to focus on what I am doing in Defence but I expect very early next week we'll know [what] the allocation of portfolios by the Prime Minister is," he said.

Amid the new Cabinet speculation, Leader of the House Anthony Albanese says he will not bow to internal pressure to resign.

Mr Albanese, who is also the Transport Minister, denied being a key supporter of the plan to overthrow Ms Gillard.

He says he maintains the confidence of the Prime Minister.

"I believe it is certainly in the Labor Party's interest collectively that I continue to do the job that I've done both as a minister and particularly as Leader of the House," he told Sky News.

Meanwhile, the Manager of Opposition Business, Christopher Pyne, says he has received text messages from within the Labor caucus about another attempt to reinstall Mr Rudd in June.

He told the ABC's Insiders program he does not think Mr Rudd's promise to stay away from the Labor leadership is genuine.

"I don't believe his statement from last week any more than I believe any of the other statements," he said.

"I am still getting text messages from supporters of him in the caucus telling me they plan to remove Julia Gillard in 71 days."